Patents by Inventor Robert P. Makowicki
Robert P. Makowicki has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9639105Abstract: One aspect is a method that includes applying a plurality of incrementally varying voltage targets to a plurality of power phase converters operating in parallel between a source voltage rail and a load voltage rail. A phase temperature of each of the power phase converters is monitored. The phase temperature of each of the power phase converters is compared to a thermal adjustment limit. One or more of the power phase converters are adjusted to reduce an associated output current based on determining that at least one of the power phase converters exceeds the thermal adjustment limit. Power phase converter adjustments can be performed in a balanced manner such that a net sum voltage at the load voltage rail is substantially unchanged after the adjustments.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2014Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Gary F. Goth, Robert P. Makowicki, Steven G. Shevach, Allan C. VanDeventer, Xiaojin Wei
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Patent number: 9606562Abstract: One aspect is a method that includes applying a plurality of incrementally varying voltage targets to a plurality of power phase converters operating in parallel between a source voltage rail and a load voltage rail. A phase temperature of each of the power phase converters is monitored. The phase temperature of each of the power phase converters is compared to a thermal adjustment limit. One or more of the power phase converters are adjusted to reduce an associated output current based on determining that at least one of the power phase converters exceeds the thermal adjustment limit. Power phase converter adjustments can be performed in a balanced manner such that a net sum voltage at the load voltage rail is substantially unchanged after the adjustments.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2015Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Gary F. Goth, Robert P. Makowicki, Steven G. Shevach, Allan C. VanDeventer, Xiaojin Wei
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Publication number: 20160141950Abstract: One aspect is a method that includes applying a plurality of incrementally varying voltage targets to a plurality of power phase converters operating in parallel between a source voltage rail and a load voltage rail. A phase temperature of each of the power phase converters is monitored. The phase temperature of each of the power phase converters is compared to a thermal adjustment limit. One or more of the power phase converters are adjusted to reduce an associated output current based on determining that at least one of the power phase converters exceeds the thermal adjustment limit. Power phase converter adjustments can be performed in a balanced manner such that a net sum voltage at the load voltage rail is substantially unchanged after the adjustments.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2014Publication date: May 19, 2016Inventors: Gary F. Goth, Robert P. Makowicki, Steven G. Shevach, Allan C. VanDeventer, Xiaojin Wei
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Publication number: 20160139619Abstract: One aspect is a method that includes applying a plurality of incrementally varying voltage targets to a plurality of power phase converters operating in parallel between a source voltage rail and a load voltage rail. A phase temperature of each of the power phase converters is monitored. The phase temperature of each of the power phase converters is compared to a thermal adjustment limit. One or more of the power phase converters are adjusted to reduce an associated output current based on determining that at least one of the power phase converters exceeds the thermal adjustment limit. Power phase converter adjustments can be performed in a balanced manner such that a net sum voltage at the load voltage rail is substantially unchanged after the adjustments.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2015Publication date: May 19, 2016Inventors: Gary F. Goth, Robert P. Makowicki, Steven G. Shevach, Allan C. VanDeventer, Xiaojin Wei
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Patent number: 8245214Abstract: A system and incorporated method is provided for performing high reliability flash updates using firmware residing in a computing environment. The system comprises a nonvolatile memory having a boot sector and an application sector and a volatile memory in processing communication to update the nonvolatile memory. The volatile memory also includes an implemented algorithm that can temporarily store functions necessary to update the nonvolatile memory via a flash update.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2008Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Thomas C. Long, Robert P. Makowicki
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Publication number: 20110321052Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for serially transmitting processor commands of different execution priority. A front-end processor, for example, serially receives processor commands. A low-priority queue coupled to the front-end processor stores low-priority commands, and a high-priority queue coupled to the front-end processor stores high-priority commands. A controller enables transmission of commands from either the low-priority queue or the high-priority queue for execution.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2010Publication date: December 29, 2011Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Thomas C. Long, Robert P. Makowicki
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Publication number: 20110099556Abstract: A system to update portions of a microcontroller may include a microcontroller and read-write memory carried by the microcontroller. The system may also include non-volatile memory carried by the microcontroller and an application carried by the non-volatile memory. The system may further include a second application carried by the non-volatile memory that substantially mirrors the application.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2009Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Thomas C. Long, Robert P. Makowicki
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Patent number: 7787222Abstract: A protection circuit for a parallel power system having at least two parallel coupled voltage regulators is disclosed. The protection circuit includes at least two isolation control circuits, each control circuit being coupled to a respective voltage regulator. Each isolation control circuit includes a current sense circuit for sensing current polarity at an output of the respective voltage regulator, and a controller for automatically isolating the respective voltage regulator when an over-voltage condition exists at an output of the parallel power system and a positive current polarity is sensed at the output of the respective voltage regulator. The at least two isolation control circuits isolate only a voltage regulator having positive current outflow during the over-voltage condition. In one embodiment, each isolation control circuit further includes an over-voltage detection circuit for detecting when the over-voltage condition exists at the output of the parallel power system.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2007Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Kevin R. Covi, Raymond J. Harrington, Robert P. Makowicki, Steven G. Shevach, Dale F. Soreson, Brain C. Tucker
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Patent number: 7768222Abstract: Automated control is provided of rotational velocity of an air-moving device cooling an electronics subsystem of an electronics rack. The automated control includes: automatically responding to a failure event associated with the electronics subsystem of the rack by setting rotational velocity of the air-moving device to a first upper limit (RPM1) above a normal operating limit; sensing motor temperature of a motor of the air-moving device; automatically increasing rotational velocity of the air-moving device to a second upper limit (RPM2) if the sensed motor temperature is below a first predefined temperature threshold (T1), wherein RPM2>RPM 1; maintaining rotational velocity of the air-moving device at the second upper limit while the sensed motor temperature is below a second predefined temperature threshold (T2), wherein T2>T1; and returning to normal operating rotational velocity of the air-moving device subsequent to servicing of the electronics rack responsive to the event.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2008Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Steven J. Ahladas, Gary N. Goth, Robert P. Makowicki, Katie L. Pizzolato
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Publication number: 20090307677Abstract: A system and incorporated method is provided for performing high reliability flash updates using firmware residing in a computing environment. The system comprises a nonvolatile memory having a boot sector and an application sector and a volatile memory in processing communication to update the nonvolatile memory. The volatile memory also includes an implemented algorithm that can temporarily store functions necessary to update the nonvolatile memory via a flash update.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2008Publication date: December 10, 2009Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Thomas C. Long, Robert P. MAKOWICKI
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Publication number: 20090207880Abstract: Automated control is provided of rotational velocity of an air-moving device cooling an electronics subsystem of an electronics rack. The automated control includes: automatically responding to a failure event associated with the electronics subsystem of the rack by setting rotational velocity of the air-moving device to a first upper limit (RPM1) above a normal operating limit; sensing motor temperature of a motor of the air-moving device; automatically increasing rotational velocity of the air-moving device to a second upper limit (RPM2) if the sensed motor temperature is below a first predefined temperature threshold (T1), wherein RPM2>RPM 1; maintaining rotational velocity of the air-moving device at the second upper limit while the sensed motor temperature is below a second predefined temperature threshold (T2), wherein T2>T1; and returning to normal operating rotational velocity of the air-moving device subsequent to servicing of the electronics rack responsive to the event.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2008Publication date: August 20, 2009Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Steven J. AHLADAS, Gary N. GOTH, Robert P. MAKOWICKI, Katie L. PIZZOLATO
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Patent number: 7298601Abstract: A protection circuit for a parallel power system having at least two parallel coupled voltage regulators is disclosed. The protection circuit includes at least two isolation control circuits, each control circuit being coupled to a respective voltage regulator. Each isolation control circuit includes a current sense circuit for sensing current polarity at an output of the respective voltage regulator, and a controller for automatically isolating the respective voltage regulator when an over-voltage condition exists at an output of the parallel power system and a positive current polarity is sensed at the output of the respective voltage regulator. The at least two isolation control circuits isolate only a voltage regulator having positive current outflow during the over-voltage condition. In one embodiment, each isolation control circuit further includes an over-voltage detection circuit for detecting when the over-voltage condition exists at the output of the parallel power system.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2005Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Kevin R. Covi, Raymond J. Harrington, Robert P. Makowicki, Steven G. Shevach, Dale F. Sorenson, Brian C. Tucker
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Patent number: 6923014Abstract: An exemplary embodiment is a cooling system for cooling multiple logic modules. The cooling system includes a condenser, a first electrically controlled expansion valve coupled to the condenser and a first evaporator coupled to the first electrically controlled expansion valve. A second electrically controlled expansion valve is coupled to the condenser and a second evaporator coupled to the second electrically controlled expansion valve. A controller provides control signals to the first electrically controlled expansion valve and the second electrically controlled expansion valve to control operation of the first electrically controlled expansion valve and the second electrically controlled expansion valve. A compressor is coupled to the first evaporator, the second evaporator and the condenser.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2003Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Gary F. Goth, Daniel J. Kearney, Robert P. Makowicki, W. David McClafferty, Donald W. Porter